Winter Weather on Mt Baldy Makes for Dangerous Conditions

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Julian Sands, a British actor who has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows since the 1980s, is one of two missing hikers currently being searched for in Southern California's mountains, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Sands has been missing since last week in the Mt. Baldy area. Family reported him missing on Friday evening.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, severe weather on the mountain has been difficult and air resources have been limited.

Sands is known for roles in several films, including the 1985 feature "A Room with a View," "Warlock" and "Leaving Las Vegas."

Born in England, the 65-year-old now lives in the North Hollywood area.

[SkierBob]

As I'm sure everyone on this forum knows in many ways the San Gabriel mountains are more rugged than the Sierra's. 

And the melt cycle makes for some slippery slopes. 

While I don't need the USFS to protect me in any way what-so-ever.. It's becoming evident that closing some areas would save a few lives.

I also wonder how many people summit Baldy this time of year?

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

Angeles National Forest
@Angeles_NF
Be prepared for extreme alpine conditions--e.g., Mt. Baldy and Icehouse Canyon areas, Mt. Islip, etc.

[Wrightwood]

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[Wrightwood]

Advisory: Sheriff's Air Crews Conduct Technical Ice Hoist Rescue on Mt. Baldy

DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 28, 2023, 11:46 a.m.
INCIDENT: Technical Ice Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Timber Peak, Mt. Baldy, Ca.
RESCUED PARTY(S): Abdollah Katbab, 71-year-old resident of Del Mar, Ca

SUMMARY: On Saturday, January 28, 2023, Abdollah Katbab went hiking in the area of Ice House Canyon on Mt. Baldy. During his hike, he was making his way between Timber Mountain and Ice House Saddle. The trail was extremely slippery from the icy conditions. At some point while Katbab was on the trail, he slipped and fell approximately 50 feet. When Katbab came to a stop, the terrain was steep and icy and he did not feel he would be able to get back to the trail safely. He had a Garmin In Reach device and activated it. Through communication on the In Reach device, Katbab stated he received minor injuries to his arms.

California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) notified San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Volunteer Forces unit, and requested a search and rescue. Sheriff's dispatch along with Sheriff's Helicopter 40-KING-4, was notified of the incident. The crew of 40-KING-4 arrived in the area and began their search. Sheriff's Helicopter Air Rescue 306 and crew, was at their hangar conducting training with technical ice rescue members. Due to the icy conditions on Mt. Baldy, the crew of Air Rescue 306 decided to head to the location as well, for a potential hoist rescue.

As Air Rescue 306 arrived in the area, the crew of 40-KING-4 located Katbab at the 8,000' level and confirmed that a hoist rescue would be needed. The crew of 40-KING-4 relayed to Air Rescue 306 that Katbab was still sliding from time to time but it appeared he was able to stop himself. Air Rescue 306 hovered above Katbab and lowered Technical Rescuer Lucy Durfee down to Katbab. Durfee was able to get stable footing with her crampons and other technical gear. Durfee made her way to Katbab and placed him into a rescue harness. Katbab was hoisted to the helicopter, followed by Durfee, then flown to San Antonio Dam, where paramedics took over medical treatment.
     
Air Rescue 306 Crew:
Pilot Corporal Ryan Peppler
Crew Chief Deputy Greg Hanrahan
Technical Rescuer Lucy Durfee
Technical Rescuer Ean Sanchez

40-KING-4 Crew:
Pilot Deputy Doug Brimmer
Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Jon Holt           

Refer: Ryan Peppler, Corporal
Station: Emergency Operations Division - Aviation Unit
Phone No. (909)252-4100
Case No. 032300261

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

[Wrightwood]

Advisory: Sheriff's Aviation Deputies Rescue an Injured Skier in the Baldy Bowl area of Mt. Baldy

DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 4, 2023, 12:07 p.m.
INCIDENT: Technical Ice Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Baldy Bowl, Mt. Baldy, Ca.
SUSPECT(S): N/A

VICTIM(S): Travis Robinson, 40-years-old, Resident of Mt. Baldy, Ca.

SUMMARY: On Saturday, February 4, 2023, Travis Robinson and his friend hiked the Baldy Bowl, in Mt. Baldy, to go snowboarding. They hiked up to the west ridge and Robinson used his snowboard to ride down the Baldy Bowl. Robinson's friend used a pair of skis and followed behind Robinson. About half way down the bowl, Robinson felt something unusual in his right leg. He thought his bindings broke on his snowboard and when he checked them, he noticed his leg was possibly broken. Robinson was not able to go any further and his friend was able to place a call to 911.

San Bernardino County Fire received the 911 call and requested Sheriff's Aviation to assist in locating Robinson. Sheriff's Aviation Helicopter 40-KING-6 responded and located Robinson at the 8,400' elevation in steep icy terrain. The crew of 40-KING-6 requested Sheriff's Air Rescue 306 and they responded with two technical ice rescue team members. When Air Rescue 306 arrived, the crew confirmed a hoist rescue would be necessary to get Robinson out safely.

Air Rescue 306 hovered above Robinson and lowered a paramedic and EMT down to him. The medics used their crampons and other technical rescue gear to stabilize them. The medics worked together to place Robinson into a rescue harness and he was then hoisted up to the helicopter, followed by the medics. Robinson was flown to the San Antonio Dam where he was transferred to San Bernardino County Fire and American Medical Response personnel for further treatment.
           
Air Rescue 306 Crew:
Pilot Corporal Ryan Peppler
Crew Chief Deputy Greg Hanrahan
Technical Rescuer Sergeant Jerred Besheer
Technical Rescuer SBCFD Engineer Mike Demoff

40-KING-6 Crew:
Pilot Sergeant Greg Jimenez
Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Tommy Dickey           

Refer: Ryan Peppler, Corporal

Station: Emergency Operations Division - Aviation Unit
Phone No. (909)252-4100
Case No. 032300336
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

[Wrightwood]

Advisory: Sheriff's Aviation Crews Conduct Technical Ice Hoist Rescue at Big Horn Peak, Mt. Baldy

DATE/TIME: Monday, February 20, 2023 12:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: Technical Ice Hoist Rescue
LOCATION: Big Horn Peak, Mt. Baldy

VICTIM(S): Jackson Sellers, 17 years-old, San Bernardino
Nicholas Sellers, 29 years-old, San Bernardino

SUMMARY: On Monday, February 20, 2023, Jackson and Nicholas Sellers hiked up Cucamonga Peak Trail from Ice House Saddle, at the 7,600 foot-level in the Mount Baldy area. As they traversed the trail through snow and ice, their hiking equipment failed, which caused them to lose their footing and slide from the icy terrain. Although not injured, the victims were exhausted and feared they would fall down the steep mountainside if they continued. Nicholas realized they needed help and called 911 on his cellular phone to request assistance. 

Sheriff's Dispatch received the 911 from Nicholas and dispatched deputies from Fontana Station to assist. Sheriff's Aviation was requested to assist in locating the two hikers using coordinates from the cellular phone. Sheriff's patrol helicopter 40 King 2 responded to the scene and located the hikers with the provided coordinates. The crew of 40 King requested Sheriff's Air Rescue for a hoist, due to the location and steep terrain. The crew of Air Rescue 306 hoisted one rescuer down to the hikers. Due to the steep terrain, the rescuer was inserted above the hikers, and utilized a rope system to reach the hikers. The rope system was used to move the hikers to a safe area where they could be hoisted from.   
 
Both hikers were placed into rescue harnesses and hoisted into the helicopter. The crew transported them to Fontana deputies at the San Antonio Dam without further incident. 

Hikers are encouraged to ensure their equipment is properly fitted and they are properly trained to use it. Hikers are also encouraged to always stay on marked and well established paths and trails.     

            40 King Crew:    Pilot Sergeant Ed Leon
                                       Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Jonathan Holt     
                                       Pilot Corporal Ryan Peppler
                                        Pilot Deputy Corey Lawrence

   Air Rescue 306 Crew: Pilot Deputy Doug Brimmer
                                       Crew Chief Deputy Tommy Dickey
                                       SBCoFD Flight Medic/Technical Rescuer Mike Demoff
                                       SBCoFD Flight Medic Brandon Chavez


Refer: Deputy Doug Brimmer
Station: Emergency Operations Division/Aviation Unit
Phone No. 909-252-4100
Case No. DR#032300499

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

[Wrightwood]

Not Mt Baldy but close

Advisory: Sheriff's Aviation Crew Rescues Motorist Stranded in Deep Snow in the Lytle Creek Area
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 5:34 a.m.
INCIDENT: Rescue of Motorist Stranded in Snow
LOCATION: Cold Water Canyon, Lytle Creek

INVOLVED PARTY(S): Brandon Henson, 31-year-old resident of Mission Viejo, Ca


SUMMARY: On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, Brandon Henson traveled to Cold Water Canyon, in the area of Lytle Creek, to go off-roading. As Henson drove on the trail, his vehicle became disabled in deep snow. Henson attempted to dig his vehicle out of the snow but was unsuccessful, as approximately four feet of snow continued to fall in the area. Henson was unable place a call for assistance as a result of poor cell reception in the area. 

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at about 1:00 a.m., Henson was able to send a text message to his girlfriend to advise he was stranded in the snow within a remote area. No further communication was established with Henson and limited information was available on his whereabouts.

At about 5:34 a.m., Sheriff's Dispatch received a 911 call from Henson's girlfriend requesting assistance in locating Henson. Deputies from Fontana Station responded to assist with search efforts. As deputies attempted to search the area for Henson, the heavy snowfall prevented patrol vehicles from reaching the remote area.

Sheriff's Aviation was requested to assist in locating Henson. Sheriff's patrol helicopter 40 King 1 responded to the area and located Henson with his vehicle. The crew of 40 King 1 confirmed the area was inaccessible by ground units and Henson would need to be rescued from the location based on current snow conditions. The crew of 40 King 1 was able to land in an area near Henson's location where he was contacted. Henson did not report any injuries and was transported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Training Academy to meet with Fontana Station deputies without further incident.

            40 King Crew: Pilot Reserve Deputy Dan Futscher
                                    Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Jonathan Holt
Refer: Deputy Jonathan Holt

Station: Emergency Operations Division/Aviation Unit
Phone No. 909-252-4100
Case No. DR#032300577

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

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[Wrightwood]

[Bob C]

It's official:  https://ktla.com/news/local-news/remains-found-on-mt-baldy-identified-as-julian-sands/

[Wrightwood]